Nemo Zhou, “We, as a community, MUST do better to honor Daniel Naroditsky and to prevent further tragedies”
Daniel Naroditsky, the acclaimed American chess grandmaster, author, streamer, and beloved commentator affectionately known as “Danya,” tragically passed away. The sad and shocking news overwhelmed the chess world and left the community in dismay and shock. Daniel Naroditsky was not only a great player, but a fantastic streamer and educator, a true ambassador of the chess game. One of the frequents tributes on social media today reads, “I started playing chess because of Daniel Naroditsky”
Nemo Zhou was one of the first fellow streamers to react to the sad news. But her grief changed direction, and is now encompassing the feeling a major part of the chess community. “What Kramnik was allowed to do, directly under FIDE’s supervision, must have repercussions,” Nemo says. See her full statement below.
Daniel Naroditsky passes away timeline
20.10 Daniel Naroditsky passes away
20.10 2700 club players mourn the passing of Daniel Naroditsky
20.10 The chess world mourns the passing away of Daniel Naroditsky
20.10 Fellow streamers react to the passing of Daniel Naroditsky
21.10 NY Times, where Daniel Naroditsky was columnist, with a tribute for Danya
21.10 Honoring Daniel Naroditsky, a video tribute to Danya
21.10 Magnus Carlsen on Daniel Naroditsky, “It’s a great loss. It’s very sad for all of us”
22.10 Reuters, “FIDE was “looking into” Kramnik’s year-long campaign accusing Naroditsky of online cheating”
The silence is deafening
As the days pass with little to no actions, I become more concerned that FIDE will be successful in it’s attempt to sweep Danya’s passing (and it’s cause) under the rug. So far FIDE has made one statement: a call for an internal investigation. The CEO of FIDE has a message accusing Daniel’s friends for his death still posted. Kramnik continues to post threats, denials, and accusations.
The silence from far too many of Danya’s peers is deafening. I have attempted to reach out to multiple other players to discuss tangible ways to put pressure on FIDE moving forward and the response, in every single case, has been effectively the same “it’s pointless unless Magnus joins, FIDE is too strong”.
That isn’t good enough. We, as a community, MUST do better to honor Danya and to prevent further tragedies. What Kramnik was allowed to do, directly under FIDE’s supervision, must have repercussions. A 3rd party investigation must take place. Changes must be made for the future safety of all chess players.
We need players boycotting FIDE events until this investigation takes place and real changes are made. We need sponsors to make it clear they do not want to be associated with an organization that allows systematic failures related to harassment and abuse.
My platform is small and there is only so much I can do, if you see this tag/reach out to GM’s, sponsors of upcoming tournaments, and related parties. Let your voice be heard. Let the players know that you will support them standing up to FIDE. We can not let them continue to move forward as if nothing happened.
Tributes to Daniel Naroditsky
The love for Daniel Naroditsky was and will forever be enormous. The internet space is full of unprecedented amount of tributes for the chess player and PERSON Daniel Naroditsky was. Chessdom will re-publish 40 chess community tributes in memory of Naroditsky.
Day 1: Grant Oen, “Danya Naroditsky, I know you are already up there blitzing with the legends”
Day 2: Michael Takahashi, “From his computer screen, Naroditsky always brought joy to every audience he served”
Day 3: Alireza Firouzja, “Daniel Naroditsky was my second at the Grand Swiss”
Day 4: [VERY] Emotional video by Anna Rudolf, “Daniel Naroditsky was so gentle, so wise, so eloquent”
Day 5: C-Squared tribute podcast on Daniel Naroditsky
Disclaimer: Unfounded cheating allegations and accusations are a powerful form of emotional manipulation that can cause lasting psychological and even physical harm. (more about it here)